‘Be Jersey Strong’ Reports on Progress

Our friends at Be Jersey Strong, whose executive director we honored as a Young Changemaker in 2015, this month reported on their progress to date – and the numbers tell a compelling story.

According to Executive Director Aakash Shah:

During this past open enrollment, Be Jersey Strong recruited over 500 students – two-thirds of whom spoke a second language with over 50 languages represented between them all – to help over 12,000 of their friends, families, and neighbors learn more about their options for coverage. In terms of boots on the ground, it represented one of the largest and most diverse efforts to connect the uninsured to coverage in the nation.

And their hard work – coupled with the wisdom of our Board – even caught the attention of our nation’s leaders, who recently honored the difference our volunteers made at the White House. A recording of the event can be found here, with opening remarks by White House Chief of Staff Dennis McDonough followed by my remarks about Be Jersey Strong as part of a panel discussion.

Be Jersey Strong also recently announced ambitious plans to expand their work. We wish the organization well and congratulate Aakash Shah for once again proving worthy of the title, Young Changemaker.